2D Optical Phased Array Layout for High-Power Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical phased array systems face limitations in scalability, power transmission capability, and efficiency due to power loss in delay components and optical waveguides, as well as complex electronic control, which hinders the development of large-scale systems.
Innovation Solution
A scalable two-dimensional optical phased array architecture that eliminates power loss through delay components by synchronizing laser sources within a coherent coupling network, allowing for high-power signal transmission without signal flow through delay components, and simplifies electronic control by using a single control signal for phase adjustment across rows or columns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional optical phased array architecture with delay components is used, then beam steering capability is achieved, but power loss occurs in delay components and optical waveguides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the delay components from the optical signal path entirely. Instead of using conventional delay components (phase shifters, delay lines) that cause power loss, the invention uses a different architecture where multiple laser sources are directly coupled to antenna elements through optical waveguides, eliminating the need for delay components in the signal path and thus eliminating their associated power losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical waveguides as intermediaries to directly connect laser sources to antenna elements. These waveguides serve as the sole mediation for optical signal transmission, replacing the conventional chain of delay components. The waveguides are designed to minimize loss while enabling the necessary phase control for beam steering through the arrangement and configuration of multiple laser sources.
2Power
If array size is increased to achieve high output power, then power handling limitations of optical waveguides are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical signal generation function across multiple independent laser sources, with each source feeding a subset of antenna elements. This segmentation allows the total output power to be distributed across multiple lower-power laser sources, each operating within the power handling capabilities of the optical waveguides, while collectively achieving high total output power through coherent combination at the antenna array.
3Power
If optical amplifiers are added to accommodate large phased array system, then high output power is achieved, but manufacturing yield decreases and DC power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes optical amplifiers from the system architecture. Instead of using amplifiers to boost power, the invention directly generates the required power levels through an array of laser sources, each operating at appropriate power levels. This eliminates the manufacturing complexity and yield issues associated with optical amplifiers while also reducing DC power consumption by eliminating the amplifier stages.
4Ease of operation
If conventional phased array architecture is used, then beam steering is achieved, but electronic control complexity increases for large systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electronic control system that manages complex delay components with a simplified optical domain approach. Phase control is achieved through the optical coupling and interference of multiple laser sources rather than through electronic control of delay lines. This substitution of the control mechanism from electronic to optical domain significantly reduces electronic control complexity while maintaining beam steering functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-power, efficient, and scalable optical phased arrays with reduced phase noise and electronic control complexity, achieving improved power efficiency and beam steering capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
synchronizing laser sources within a coherent coupling network
Implementation Method 2
coherent coupling of the sources
Data Source
AI summary
A communications device including an array of optical transmitters, each element of the array including an optical source and an antenna coupled to the optical source. The communications device also includes a plurality of tunable delay components interconnecting transmitters in the array of optical transmitters, and a communications signal path configured to conduct a communications signal through the array of the optical transmitters. The optical sources are synchronized.